About Us

OUR HISTORY

1. 2010 — The Spark

   While volunteering at UF Health Shands Hospital, University of Florida student Erica Sokol saw pediatric patients spending long days alone and created a buddy program pairing college students with hospitalized children.

2. 2013 — StudentsCare is Founded

   Inspired by the success of the hospital buddy program, StudentsCare officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with a mission to bring companionship and comfort to children and families nationwide.

3. 2014-2015 - Building the Foundation

   While earning her Master's in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania, Erica refined the StudentsCare model and began connecting with students across the country eager to start chapters.

4. 2016 - National Expansion Begins

   The first university chapters launched at Michigan State University, Saint Louis University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Miami, each paired with a hospital partner to deliver compassionate care.

5. 2017 - A Transformative Grant and Rapid Growth

   StudentsCare received its first major grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, hired its first full-time staff, and expanded from four to nine chapters by year's end - establishing a foundation for national growth.

6. 2018-2019 - Programs Flourish Nationwide

   Hospital Buddy Programs expanded to new hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses. Hospitals praised the emotional support provided to families, and students described life-changing volunteer experiences that shaped their empathy and leadership.

7. 2020 - Adapting During the Pandemic

   When hospital visits were suspended, StudentsCare launched the Senior Buddy Program to connect student volunteers with isolated older adults through phone and video calls. Pediatric programming was also adapted - students assembled and shipped hundreds of activity kits and shared virtual activities through YouTube and hospital CCTV.

8. 2021 - Emerging Stronger

   With in-person programming gradually resuming, StudentsCare emerged from the pandemic with two thriving service branches - pediatric and senior - united by one mission: connecting hearts across generations.

9. 2022-2023 — Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Reach

   Despite post-pandemic funding challenges, StudentsCare grew through resilience and partnerships, launching new programs at Nova Southeastern University, University of Washington, and University of Central Florida, along with several new hospital and senior care partners.

10. 2024 - Strengthening Community Impact

    StudentsCare received a multi-year grant from The Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, with the goal of expanding the Senior Buddy Program across six Federation Housing sites in Philadelphia. This initiative aims to reduce loneliness and enhance quality of life for more than 250 low-income older adults in the coming years.

11. 2025 — Continuing to Grow Across Generations

    A multi-year grant from the Epworth Senior Community Foundation is supporting expansion to 10 new senior living sites in Miami-Dade County. By Fall 2025, StudentsCare has grown to 19 university partnerships, 22 pediatric sites, 26 senior sites, 788 volunteers, and 29,561 meaningful interactions.

12. The Road Ahead — A Future of Connection

    Looking forward, StudentsCare is focused on deepening impact, strengthening partnerships, and expanding opportunities for service and compassion - continuing to build a more connected, caring world, one buddy at a time.